Most people don’t know that Arkansas has a thriving rice industry, and Rock Town Distillery founder Phil Brandon decided to see what he could do with locally-grown rice in this Bourbon. The mashbill is 54% corn, 36% Arkansas rice, and 10% malted barley, and the whiskey was matured for two years. The nose is warm and well-balanced with notes of toasted bread, Rice Krispies treats, marshmallow, honey, and a hint of caramel. The taste has touches of linseed oil, chili powder, and lemon zest that provide a spicy and tart flavor at first, while touches of anise, caramel, and vanilla come on slowly as the initial tartness starts to fade. The finish is medium-length with a lingering balance of tartness and touches of anise and caramel. A creative approach that led to a unique whiskey! (January, 2021)